Article Details

Abstract

The ultrasonic time difference method is widely used in velocity measurement in rivers and open channel hydraulic projects because of its fast response, simple structure and high measurement accuracy. However, the propagation of ultrasonic waves in water is easily affected by sensor characteristics and environmental conditions, which reduces measurement accuracy. This paper designs and builds an ultrasonic time difference method measurement system based on a high-speed oscilloscope under controlled conditions, and discusses the influences of parameters such as ultrasonic frequency, amplitude, and probe spacing on measurement accuracy through multi-factor analysis. Further experimental research is conducted on water sediment concentration and temperature, and the results show that both factors present a linear relationship with the measured velocity. Under the condition that other factors are controlled to be stable, the flow velocity measured by ultrasonic time difference method shows a significant linear correlation with the result obtained by the current meter. By adopting the segmented compensation method to correct sediment concentration, the mean relative error is reduced from 20.57% to 7.85%, and the mean absolute error is reduced from 0.099 8 m/s to 0.038 1 m/s, which significantly improves the accuracy and feasibility of velocity measurement using the ultrasonic time difference method under sediment-laden flow conditions.

Keywords

ultrasonic time difference method; velocity measurement; high-speed oscilloscope; multi-factor analysis; segmented compensation

References

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Funding

Major Science and Technology Project of the Ministry of Water Resources (SKS-2022142); Guiding Plan for Key Scientific Research Projects of Higher Education Institutions in Henan Province in 2025 (25B510010); Open Fund Project of Key Laboratory of Yellow River Downstream Channel and Estuary Management, Ministry of Water Resources (2025007)

About the authors

Liu Mingtang (1974-), male, Han nationality, from Xinyang, Henan Province, professor, doctoral student, research direction: water conservancy information technology; Miao Jiahao (2001-), male, Han ethnicity, from Jiyuan, Henan Province, is currently pursuing a master's degree in flow velocity measurement of sediment laden water bodies; Li Shihao (2001-), male, Han ethnicity, from Zhoukou, Henan Province, is currently pursuing a master's degree in ultrasonic sediment concentration measurement; Wu Shanshan (2000-), female, Han ethnicity, from Xinyang, Henan Province, is currently pursuing a master's degree in knowledge graph; Lei Shuo (2001-), male, Han ethnicity, from Puyang, Henan Province, is currently pursuing a master's degree in sediment concentration monitoring and compensation.